Display device



March 2, 1937. J. E. TRACEY ET AL DISPLAY DEVICE Filed March 16, 1934 Patented Mar. 2, 1937 PATENT OFFLCE DISPLAY DEVICE Joe E. Tracey, Ponca City, Okla, and Edward M.

Phelps, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignors to Continental Oil Company, Ponca City, Okla, a corporation of Delaware Application March 16,

3 Claims.

Our invention relates to a display device and more particularly to an advertising or display globe.

Meter pumps are largely being used in gaso- 5 line dispensing stations pumping gasoline directly from the underground tanks through a metering device into automotive vehicles. The gasoline being pumped is visible only through a small sight glass. Frequently, a number of different types of gasoline are sold at a single station. It has become the practice to give different types of gasoline distinctive colors.

One object of our invention is to provide a highly decorative and'attractive globe in which a liquid is displayed in a state of constant movement, simulating boiling or bubbling.

Another object of our invention is to provide a globe in which the liquid in the globe, when used in connection with a gasoline pump, for ex- 20 ample, is colored similar to the color of the type of gasoline being dispensed at a particular pump to which our display device is attached.

Another object of our invention is to provide a display globe which is adapted to be produced and operated at a minimum of cost.

Further and other objects of our invention will appear from the following description.

In the accompanying drawing which forms part of the instant specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts in the various views;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the display globe of our invention, attached to a gasoline r dispensing device.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of a display globe embodying one form of carrying out our invention.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on a line 3-3 of Figure 2, with liquid removed.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the air distributing manifold.

In general, our invention contemplates the provision of a transparent vessel, preferably 7 globular in shape, provided with a reentrant portion which is preferably glass or rendered translucent instead of transparent. The annular space formed by the transparent outer globe, and the translucent reentrant portion is provided with liquid. An electric light globe having a desired color is housed within the reentrant portion, which, being translucent, is adapted to diffuse the colored light through the body of the liquid and render it colored in appearance. An air distributing manifold is positioned in the base 1934, Serial No. 715,840

of our device and provided with a number of air outlets. Air escapes from the air outlets and rises through the liquid jetting it and giving it the appearance of boiling liquid. A vent is provided for conducting the air from above the surface of the liquid to without the globe.

More particularly referring now to the drawing, We mount on the top of a gasoline pump casing I a supporting member 2. While we prefer to show our device in connection with a gasoline pump, it is to be understood, of course, that our invention is adapted to be used with any suitable device, as a means for attracting the attention of the eye. Supporting member 2 is provided with internally threaded, upstanding flange 3 into the threads of which a transparent globe 4 is adapted to be screwed. A gasket 5 is provided to insure a liquid tight joint. Supporting member 2 is provided with a second upstanding flange 6, likewise provided with interior threads. Translucent housing 7 is provided with a screw threaded portion at its lower end for action with the threads of flange 6. A gasket 8 is provided within a channel formed at the interior of annular supporting member 2, against which the periphery of translucent member 1 is adapted to seat to form a liquid tight joint.

While we have shown member 4 as a transparent globe, it is to be understood, of course, that it may be made in any suitable shape without departing from the spirit of our invention. A bore is provided through the bottom of annular support member 2 at a suitable point therein. A tube 9 extends through the bore into the interior of the globe 4 and is provided with a stuffing box in which screw threaded plug I 0 is adapted to push it out against the exterior of tube 9 to form a liquid tight joint. The tube 9 is rectangularly formed with a return bend as can readily be appreciated by reference to Figure 2. The upper portion of the tube 9 extends to the upper portion of the globe 4 above the surface of liquid l2 which is placed within the globe, to the level indicated. The lower end of the tube 9 rests against the supporting member 2. Housed within tube 9 is a smaller tube I4 which extends within tube 9 throughout its length within the globe. Tube l4 communicates with an annular manifold l provided with a number of openings Hi. The manifold I5 is disposed within the lower portion of the supporting member 2 and hidden by flange 3. A number of openings H are provided in that portion of tube 9 which extends above the surface of the liquid l 2. Housed within translucent member 'l we provide an electric light l8 which may be any desired color and which is supplied with electricity through cable l9. The outer end 20 of tube 9 communicates with the atmosphere at any suitable place. The manifold 15 is shown in section in Figure 4. It is provided with a flattened lower surface 2! to provide for the accumulation of air along the flattened surface. This will insure the bubbling or boiling effect.

In operation, the device being assembled as shown in Figure 2, pipe I 4 is connected with a suitable source of compressed air. Air passes along pipe I4 to manifold l5 and escapes through openings H5 in the lower surface thereof. Air accumulates along the flattened surface 2| and escapes upwardly through the liquid in the form of bubbles. The air then passes through openings l1 and then through the annular space formed by the interior walls of tube 9 and the exterior walls of pipe I4, and escapes to the atmosphere at 20. The light l8 having its characteristic color dispersed. through the liquid l2 by the agency of translucent member 1 imparts a desired color to the liquid which, by reason of the air bubbles rising through it, presents the appearance of boiling, being maintained in a state of constant agitation.

It will be seen that we have, accomplished the objects of our invention. We have provided a novel, animated display device which is attractive to the eye and which simulates the appearance of a boiling mass of liquid. We are enabled to color liquid similar to the characteristic color of the liquid being dispersed. Within the globe g 4 and supported by the upper portion of tube 9 we may, if we desire, suspend a sign bearing advertising matter.

It will be observed that our construction is easily assembled and easily maintained in liquid tight position and is inexpensive to operate.

40 It will be understood that certain features and sub-combinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of our claims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of our claims without departing from the spirit of our invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that our invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim is:

1. A display device comprising in combination a support, a sealed transparent housing secured to said support, a translucent member secured to said support within and in spaced relation to said transparent member, liquid in the space formed by said housing and said member, means for bubbling air through said liquid, a vent pipe for said space passing through said support and illuminating means positioned in said translucent member.

2. A display device including in combination an annular support having a pair of upstanding flanges, means for securing a pair of glass caps to said flanges in telescoped liquid-tight relation thereby forming an annular chamber, liquid in said annular chamber and illuminating means within the smaller glass cap.

3. A display device comprising a transparent member, a translucent member disposed therewithin forming an annular chamber therewith, liquid within said chamber, illuminating means housed within the translucent member, an annular manifold within said chamber, a duct for passing air to said manifold, said manifold being formed with a flattened lower surface and air escape openings in said surface.

JOE E. TRACEY. EDWARD M. PHELPS. 

